I did manage to finish Justin's Christmas cowl by New Year's Eve. It turned out okay(-ish), but there is definitely room for improvement. I had already started the Just Try It pattern and made some modifications after Justin explained how he liked to wear cowls for maximum warmth.
I did some increases and sloppy short rows to lengthen the back so Justin’s neck would still be covered when he pulls the top of the cowl up over his head, but I’m not completely happy with them. I should have knit the alpaca yarn at a tighter gauge, but it’s not bad for a first attempt. The next attempt will be in 2x2 ribbing and maybe some better-planned short rows. There was really no need to say Just Try It, Justin as he did appreciate the warmth in these frigid temperatures, and didn't seem too concerned with sub-par knitting.
I cast on the next version of Justin's perfect cowl, and it starts with the Sockhead Cowl pattern. It may need to be modified as I get towards the end, but I think it might work well as written, especially if I do plenty of ribbing. I bought lots of yarn from The Verdant Gryphon back in the days when they were still dyeing, and it's nice to use some of this MCN for the Frostbite Fighter Justin needs in the -15 degree temperatures he has to deal with this week wile working outside on the ranch. He may be tired of me texting him that frostbite can happen within 10 minutes with the -32 degree windchill temperatures that are predicted today and tomorrow. My plan is to knit all day today in hopes of getting this done asap. Justin is smart enough to come in from the cold if he needs to, but what mother wouldn't want to keep her son warm and take advantage of a situation where she needs to knit all day? :-)
I still have a sewn fleece version planned, but I was surprised by how difficult it has been to find appropriately-patterned fleece. I've looked at four fabric stores without luck, and have expanded my search online.
Reading continues slowly with the same three books you can see over in the right sidebar, but I'm not in any hurry. The Woman Who Smashed Codes is providing great listening while I knit.
What are you making and reading?
I'm working on finishing my peace scarf - I'm so close and if we get a snow day tomorrow I will be done for sure. I'm reading Reservoir 13 and really enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteI think this is the most brilliant sentence ever: "...what mother wouldn't want to keep her son warm and take advantage of a situation where she needs to knit all day?"
ReplyDeleteI love Just Try It, version 1 and look forward to more perfected versions. Also, I would be happy to be enlisted in the knitting all day army to help keep Justin warm, just say the word!
I am impressed with how well the colors in this yarn provide camouflage. I think this looks good ENOUGH, Bonny, but I understand you want to tweak it. If you are having trouble finding camo fleece, Joann's has some on their website, and it's on sale. This may not be what you are looking for, but here is the link. http://www.joann.com/blizzard-fleece-fabric-camouflage/7000821.html If you get the fleece one good ENOUGH, then you might want to try one of the technical fleece fabrics that are more expensive, but windproof and breathable. I think this is a worthy wormhole to fall down, Bonny. It's for one of your favorite people!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your helpful fleece link and suggestions! I looked at my "local" Joann's (an hour away) and they didn't have any camo fleece in the store, but I never thought to check them online. And I appreciate your technical fleece idea - windproof and breathable would be perfect. I love your ENOUGH reminders! Justin will probably end up with more cowls than he needs, and it may be approaching spring by the time I'm done, but I'm viewing this as a fun wormhole to fall down, and I don't have nearly ENOUGH fun in my life!
DeleteThat looks fabulous!!! I love the wide rib and the way it covers most of the face but with lots of room to see. I need to start something that can be finished fast :)
ReplyDeleteWow! That cowl looks pretty good! as long as it keeps him warm and happy then I call it a win, wonky knitting or no! Justin has provided you the perfect excuse for doing the to thinks you love most for one of the people you love most. That's a BIG win!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the above comments, especial about “. . . what mother . . .”. My son, who is 37years old also asked for a winter warmer in the shape of fingerless gloves. It has been an especially cold Dec-Jan in TN so far, so I’m hopping fast to knit those gloves. Also I am knitting thrummed mittens for my SIL (who lives in Wisconsin!) though I have never ”thrummed” before. It's . . . different, more finger work than my cold fingers like.
ReplyDeleteReading “Sing Unburied Sing” and even with the first ten pages I was hooked. Plus “Elmet” - an odd story but so very very well written. I know it will get a good 4 star rating from me.
Thrummed mittens always look wonderfully warm and I'm sure Your WI SIL will greatly appreciate them! I've been waiting (impatiently!) for Sing, Unburied, Sing from the library, even more so since I saw it on Obama's reading list. Enjoy!
DeleteThat cowl sure looks warm! I am entirely fascinated by The Woman Who Smashed Codes and am taking my time reading it. I love word puzzles, but I'm a mere rookie compared to the skill of Elizebeth & William!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you think! Knit on, dear Bonny, all day long... it's FOR THE CHILDREN!! ;)
ReplyDeleteReading...nothing. Knitting nothing. Spending all my free time talking to United Airlines. Tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. (changed from 10:39 mid blizzard time) I will have alllllllll the time I need to do both. The cowl is FABULOUS and there is no sub-par knitting there!
ReplyDeleteI love the cowl Bonny. It looks great! The wide rib is really nice, and I do love how he can pull it up over his head. But, you are right, one is not enough and you MUST spend all day knitting and listening to books - LOL.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the cowl fits Justin VERY well. I'm sure he'll appreciate the extra warmth down his neck. I can't imagine being outside for long in -32 degree weather. YIKES.
ReplyDeleteReading: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Knitting: Solar Socks and my scrappy blanket
Have a wonderful evening with lots and lots of knitting and tea to ward off that chill!
Your first cowl attempt looks pretty good - and I love the photo with the antler (and the one with Justin actually modeling it). Hope you get plenty of inside knitting time AT HOME this week - and even better that you've got a great book to keep you company.
ReplyDeleteThat cowl looks like a win to me. I bet Justin is just happy to have it to keep warm. The cold is brutal here too. I am reading Gathering from the Grassland and just finished listening to A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny. That series has been great as audiobooks. I'm waiting for my library to get the next and most recently published. I have been casting on for a sweater the last two days. I'm sort of using a recipe from an Ann Budd book. I think I'm finally on my way. It took five tries. I considered them swatches to fiddle around with the raglan design and the increases.
ReplyDeleteThat does look cozy and warm - well done
ReplyDelete